27th January 2023 – Last Friday evening, citizens from the Greater Toronto Area assembled at Ram Mandir Mississauga to show their solidarity with the Hindu temple after a hate attack which took place more than 10 days back.

People were seen with holding placards on which it was written “Stop Hindu Temple Attacks, Anti-Hindu Activities, Hate crimes/discrimination against Hindus and Hinduphobia is real”

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie was also present and said, “one year ago we also faced other incidents of robbery facing some of the cultural communities especially the Hindu temples. These are incidents of Hinduphobia, may we call it this way. Let us put a name on what this is. We have spoken about anti-Hinduism, we have spoken about Islamophobia. So, we are going to put a name on this. This is hatred and this has to stop.”

Later, the community members present started white-washing and spray painting the hate messages that were written on the temple walls.

Members of the Hindu community are in shock and fear after a series of temple attacks that have taken place in the Region of Peel where the Canadian Hindu population is the largest in the country. On 30^th January 2023, Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton was defaced with anti-India and Hinduphobic graffiti.

Peel Police have assured that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to books and measures to secure places of worship will be enhanced by using technology and increasing patrolling in the area.

While many were hopeful after this gathering and support received from the politicians, others feel that the action now must happen inside the legislative bodies and a motion must be passed in the Region of Peel to recognize Hinduphobia.